Nigerian born British Actor Oyelowo was on the Queen’s prestigious annual list and opened up to The Independent about how important the honor is.The actor says his journey has come full-circle as he joins the prestigious honours list.
Oyelowo even reminisced how at just 18-years-old he received a grant from the Prince’s Trust so that he could join a youth theater production that his family was unable to afford.
“To be honored by the Queen in this way having been aided by her son’s charity feels like a beautiful full-circle moment,” he told the publication. The Oxford-born actor, who has received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in the acclaimed HBO drama Nightingale, recalled how at 18, the Prince’s Trust gave him a grant of £325 so he could join a youth theatre production that his parents could not afford
In a review of Nightingale, the New York Times described his performance as “nothing less than amazing”.
In the race for the 2015 Academy Awards, many felt Oyelowo had been snubbed after he failed to receive a nomination for his role as Martin Luther King Jr in Selma.
He revealed in an interview with The Independent that Hollywood star Brad Pitt had been equally unimpressed that he had not been nominated.
The 39-year-old may be one of Hollywood’s leading talents but he began his career in the UK, performing in theatre before landing a part in TV spy drama, Spooks.
He played MI5 officer Danny Hunter frAom 2002 to 2004, and took supporting roles in films such as Lincoln, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, The Paperboy, Jack Reacher and The Butler.
British TV and Hollywood Actor Idris Elba also received an OBE for his services on the big screen.
“Awards and honors come in all shapes and sizes and all as significant as the other,” the Beasts of No Nation star said in a statement.
“But this is beyond special as it comes from Queen and country, and I couldn’t be more proud for receiving this right now. What a year. On me head son!”
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